Users of dating platforms like Tinder may not anticipate that their profiles and personal information could become searchable, particularly through applications such as Cheaterbuster and CheatEye, which claim to reveal instances of infidelity. A report from 404 Media highlighted these apps’ use of facial recognition technology to link individuals to their dating profiles, often for a fee that can reach $18 per search.
These transactions raise concerns due to their lack of contextual understanding, potentially normalizing practices that privacy experts caution against. Scholars argue that the use of such apps can lead to normalization of peer surveillance and other privacy violations. Tinder users submit personal data with the expectation that it will only be used within the confines of the app and do not consent to have this information scraped and indexed by third-party services.
Experts have expressed surprise that Tinder has not taken action against these apps, suggesting that they may be violating the platform’s terms of service. Additionally, there are concerns regarding the ethical implications of such technology, noted for its potential inaccuracies and its disproportionate misidentification rates for people of color, which can result in harmful consequences in real-life scenarios.
The legal landscape surrounding these apps is complex. In Europe, such services may violate the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which governs personal data usage. However, U.S. privacy laws are still evolving, with limited protections currently in place. Legislative options like the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) have begun to establish consumer rights regarding data usage.
Experts advocate for substantive legislative changes to address data privacy comprehensively, suggesting that key proposals should be prioritized in legislative discussions. They also recommend that individuals seek to resolve relationship issues through direct communication rather than relying on potentially intrusive technologies.
Source: https://www.theverge.com/tech/806465/catch-cheater-app-facial-recognition-tinder